BASF at K 2022: Making Insulation More Sustainable. New Elastopor®, Elastopir® and Elastospray® Systems Containing Recycled Plastics

Implementing sustainability across the board is BASF’s stated aim. In the construction industry, there are numerous innovations and improved systems that meet strict criteria for future-proof materials development. Intelligent insulation is a central feature of modern construction. Polyurethane (PU) sandwich panels are among the high-grade products in the commercial sector. “Innovative PU rigid foams Elastopor®, Elastopir® and spray foam Elastospray® containing recycled PET, are now available on the market,” says Dr. Dejan Petrovic, Marketing Construction at BASF. The recyclates used originate from established recycling processes for PET waste streams.

Elastopor®, Elastopir®: More sustainable – excellent quality
Construction elements with a core of PU rigid foam such as Elastopor® and Elastopir® are ideal for the production of facade and roof elements of buildings used for industrial purposes, optimally combining outstanding mechanical and physical properties with thermal insulation. BASF has now developed new rigid foam systems that originate partially from plastic waste and help to reduce buildings’ product carbon footprint (PCF). The new Elastopor® and Elastopir® systems contain a substantial share of recyclate in the polyol component of the PU rigid foam. “With the dedicated shares of recycled content, we make it easier for our customers to achieve their sustainability goals faster,” says Dr. Fabian Lied, Marketing Construction, Commercial at BASF. What’s more, customers get a product with the same high profile of properties as conventional systems. The mechanical properties, surface quality, and fire behavior are identical, and the processing parameters also remain unchanged. Elastopor® and Elastopir® systems with recycled content need no changes to the process settings and can be processed on the same machines as conventional systems.

Elastospray® LWP: Focus on climate compatibility
Reducing product-related emissions is an important step on the road to a circular economy and the goal of the Plastics Journey at BASF. Sustainability is incorporated into every aspect of product development. The new generation of spray foams with shares of recycled PET products meets the ambitious sustainability goals. Originally developed for the Italian market, the Elastospray® LWP system launched in 2021 is available throughout Europe. PU spray foams from BASF facilitate an outstanding insulation value, are airtight and watertight, and, with their high energy efficiency, contribute to long-term cost savings. New Elastospray® LWP has the same thermal properties and density as conventional spray foams. “To achieve the higher-order goals of a circular economy, it is up to us to develop new systems that help conserve resources, reduce emissions and achieve a low PCF at all stages of make – use – recycle,” says Dr. Raman Chaudhari, Marketing Construction, Residential at BASF.

BASF at K 2022: Welcome to #OurPlasticsJourney! Go!Create!
At K 2022, we invite everyone to join #OurPlasticsJourney! At our booth in hall 5, C21/D21, we will explore new ways in which sustainable action is possible in all phases of the lifecycle of plastics: from how we can produce plastics more sustainably, to how we can use them better, to how we can discover new solutions to close the loop. Solving these challenges is a journey that we are all on together. At K 2022, we want to make that journey go faster. K is the #1 trade fair for plastics and rubber and will take place in Düsseldorf, Germany, from October 19 – 26, 2022. Visit www.plastics.basf.com/K2022.